Six Archie Mbolekwa Higher Primary School athletes faced intimidating opposition from around the Eastern Cape while representing Cacadu District at the provincial cross-country champs recently.
Six Archie Mbolekwa Higher Primary School athletes faced intimidating opposition from around the Eastern Cape while representing Cacadu District at the provincial cross-country champs recently.
None of the U13 to U17 runners progressed to the national finals, but they're proud to have been ambassadors for their school and district.
"Our learners were intimidated by their opponents," said Archie Mbolekwa teacher and coach Mpumelelo Mteto. "They feared Amathole, Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo districts who… were confident and chanting even before the games begun."
According to Simamnkele Rooi (U15), he's still finding his feet at the Port Elizabeth cross-country course, which is far more expansive than the one at home. "It was a bigger venue, and it was my second time competing, but I haven't yet found my stability," he said.
U17 Zikhona Matiwane agreed that the other runners seemed more comfortable in a bigger venue. But the experience was worth more than gold medals.
"I feel very great to have been part of the provincial cross-country competition because my school really believes in me," Rooi said. "I want to represent my school, I love running so much."
Unathi Sanazi of the U14 age group said no matter what happened she still enjoys running and it's in her blood. She hopes to remain active until she grows old. "I train with my friends around the location even if there is no upcoming event just to keep fit," she said.
"I felt very honoured to be part of the team that represented the Cacadu region," added Thantaswa Staki of the U14s.
Mteto said he plans to focus on mentally preparing his athletes for the next big competition, "because the learners are very talented, but they are intimidated by their opponents and so automatically [lose]courage and lose focus drastically".
The Eastern Cape Cross-Country Championships were held in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 7 September. The event was scheduled to take place in Humansdorp but the venue changed last minute.
Mteto said the local departments of education and sport assisted with transporting the pupils to the Cacadu and provincial champs.
